Recognition of National or State Party

Recognition of National or State Party

• Recently, the AAP was given the status of a ‘national party’ by the Election Commission (EC).
• The EC also revoked the ‘national party’ status of the
  • All India Trinamool Congress,
  • Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and
  • Communist Party of India (CPI).

National Parties now :-

1. AAP
2. BJP
3. INC
4. BSP
5. CPI (M)
6. NPP

Criterion for recognition

• A party may gain or lose national party status from time to time, depending on the fulfilment of the conditions.
• As per the ECI’s Political Parties and Election Symbols, 2019 handbook,
• National Party :
  • It is ‘recognised’ in four or more states; or
  • At least 6% of total valid votes in any four or more states and has at least 4 MPs in the last Lok Sabha polls; or
  • At least 2% of the total seats in the Lok Sabha from not less than three states.

To be recognised as a state party, a party needs:

• At least 6% vote-share in the last Assembly election and have at least 2 MLAs; or
• 6% vote-share in the last Lok Sabha elections from that state and at least 1 MP from that state or
• At least 3% of the total number of seats or three seats, whichever is more, in the last Assembly elections; or
• At least 1 MP for every 25 members or any fraction allotted to the state in the Lok Sabha; or
• Have at least 8% of the total valid votes in the last Assembly election or Lok Sabha election from the state.
• In addition, recognised ‘state’ and ‘national’ parties:
• Need only one proposer for filing the nomination and
• Are also entitled for two sets of electoral rolls free of cost and
• Broadcast/telecast facilities over state-owned Akashvani/Doordarshan during the general elections.
• Double the number of star campaigners.
• Land at Delhi for office.

Practice Questions for Prelims

Consider the statements regarding National Political Party :
1. Presently there are 9 National political parties.
2. Criteria is given in ECI’s Political Parties and Election Symbols, 2019 handbook.
3. One of the criteria is to secure at least 6% of total valid votes in any four or more states and has at least 4 MPs in the last Lok Sabha polls.

Which of the statements given above is / are correct :-
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 2 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1,2 and 3

Ans. c)

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